The Housing Society has announced the launch of four urban renewal projects in Sham Shui Po, covering a total site area of about 7,180 square metres.

Upon completion by 2010, the new developments will provide 1,000 residential flats and 11,000 square metres of retail space.

An additional 2,200 square metres of community facilities including a care and attention home for the elderly will also be provided.

The sites are located between Castle Peak Road and Cheung Wah Street; between Un Chau Street, Hing Wah Street and Castle Peak Road; between Hing Wah Street, Un Chau Street and Fuk Wing Street; and between Castle Peak Road and Hing Wah Street.

New look for an old area

Society Director Francis Law said the projects are in close proximity to each other, and their simultaneous launch can speed up urban redevelopment in the district and improve the living environment, giving a new look to the old area.

The projects are among the seven to be implemented by the society in association with the Urban Renewal Authority under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2002.

The society is responsible for the acquisition and clearance of properties within the project boundaries, re-housing the affected tenants and the subsequent construction and disposal of the new developments.

There are 67 buildings in the four project areas and the majority are dilapidated. They are generally over 40 years old and the oldest one has 51 years of history. It is estimated the projects will involve 437 property interests of about 670 households.

Mr Law said purchase offers to acquire the property interests in the project areas will be issued to the affected owners in the third quarter of this year. The estimated total acquisition cost is about $1.27 billion.

$2.58 billion in development costs

Under the current acquisition policy and property market conditions, total development costs including acquisition and construction of the four projects amount to some $2.58 billion.

From today, the society will deploy more than 200 staff to conduct a three-day occupancy survey on the affected households and record their occupancy status.

To ensure affected owners and tenants are fully informed of the acquisition and compensation policies and procedures, the society will hold a series of briefing sessions from May 4 to 6.

It has set up an Urban Renewal Project Neighbourhood Centre in Sham Shui Po to strengthen communication with residents. A telephone hotline (2839 7168) has also been set up to answer enquiries.

Meanwhile, the society has appointed the Christian Family Service Centre to set up an Urban Renewal Social Service Team based in the Neighbourhood Centre to provide counselling services and practical assistance.